The 1960’s – Technological Change
The “Swinging Sixties” saw the pace of change quicken in such a diverse range of cultural and technological affairs. There was a revolution in fashion, music and the arts epitomised by the Beatles and advances in technology that would have seemed unimaginable only years before. The 60’s began with the first man in space and ended with the first man setting foot on the moon. In the USA the Civil Rights movement led by Martin Luther King and the assassination of President Kennedy were key headline events.
On the football field Port Vale also saw many changes. There were a number of notable FA Cup campaigns, the highest attendance at Vale Park was recorded and a management team of Stanley Matthews and Jackie Mudie came and went as the club was re-elected to the League following expulsion for a variety of illegal payments. With the subsequent appointment of Gordon Lee as Manager they won promotion to Division 3, at the end of the 1969-70 season.
Locally the M6, originally known as the Stafford Bypass, opened in Staffordshire.
Port Vale lost 3-1 in a friendly against the Czech national team at Vale Park in 1961.
Port Vale 1969-70
Roy Sproson captained the side that won promotion from the 4th Division in season 1969-70.
“At the Cup game against Aston Villa in 1960, the ground was packed with almost 50,000 supporters. The Vale centre forward Graham Barnett had grown a beard that he did not shave off until we were knocked out of the competition.”
Vale Park in the 1960’s
The social club at Vale Park (now Tommy Cheadle’s) was built in the
early sixties.
Port Vale v Liverpool FA Cup Jan 1964
After a goalless draw at Anfield Vale’s hearts were cruelly broken in the last minute of extra time as Liverpool’s Peter Thompson volleyed home for a 2-1 win in front of over 42,000 at Vale Park.
Record attendance at Vale Park
Vale made it through to the 5th round of the FA Cup in 1960 when 49,768 fans, the record attendance at Vale Park, saw them lose 2-1 to Aston Villa.
Vale Ladies
A group of women watch intently from the terraces in the early 60’s.